Bahia is the cultural heart of Brazil. It is the state where the African roots of the country run deepest, influencing the music, religion, and dance. When we talk about a "Baiana" style in the context of Barbatuques, we are talking about a high-energy fusion of styles like
A female soloist (the Baiana) sings the iconic melody: "A novidade que ela trouxe / Tá no pé, tá no pé, tá no coração..." ("The novelty she brought / Is in the foot, is in the foot, is in the heart..."). Behind her, the group provides a rubbery, elastic counter-melody of percussive clicks, high heels tapping on a wooden floor, and vocalized ostinatos like "dom-dom-dom." baiana barbatuques acapella
When Barbatuques strips the song down to acapella body percussion, they are returning the song to its anthropological roots. Before the Portuguese brought metal instruments, before the drum factories of Rio de Janeiro, there was the body. Bahia is the cultural heart of Brazil